Dave Horton, WSR's Head of Mechanical Engineering writes:

On Saturday 25 February 2017 the team of Engineers from Bombardier Transportation in Derby was split with half going to Orchard Junction to do cutting back, the other half helping Bob Rimell with DMU maintenance at Bishops Lydeard. In the evening a special run down to Norton Fitzwarren and back was arranged to thank the group for their efforts, which included a fish and chip supper. On Sunday the entire group was based at Minehead, assisting John Hasker and Rich Hiscox in further painting of the 04 shunter, no. D2271. In so doing, the team were able to experience a variety of WSR tasks including PWay, vehicle running maintenance and overhaul. The group were very impressed with the visit and are keen to return. If anybody would like to enquire about the possibility of running similar weekends with groups of colleagues or friends, then do get in touch: home@wsrail.net.

27 February 2017
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

A message from the Rally Team for steam section exhibitors:

We are relaunching our steam section for 2017, with a new Marshal and a new demonstration area. Invitations will be sent out by post on 28th February. So, please look out for your invite. If you are interested in exhibiting, and have not received an invitation, please drop an e mail to wsrarally@gmail.com

Click here for the latest information about the 2017 Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally.

27 February 2017
Details gleaned from the Steam Rally website

Martyn Snell, who is leading the liaison between the BBC and WSR Plc on the forthcoming visit of the Antiques Roadshow to Minehead Station on 17 May 2017, has provided an update to the recent Stakeholders Meeting. Here are the main points:

The event will be filmed at Minehead Station from 9.30am to 6.30pm on Wednesday 17 May 2017, with setting up taking place the day before.

A special timetable will operate on the day based around the 'Red' timetable with the addition of an early DMU service from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead; the DMU then shuttling back and forth to Williton, with the final service returning to Bishops Lydeard.

The 'Welcome and Registration' area for all Roadshow visitors will be on the pedestrian area immediately outside the Station Building/Turntable Cafe. Those arriving by train will be asked to leave by way of Platform 1 and join the registration queue. The filming is planned to take place on Platform 2 and in carriages in the Bay Platform.

Refreshing all involved including our visitors is in the capable hands of David Noble and his team. We are grateful to the Beach Hotel who have come on board with regard to refreshing the BBC staff and WSR Stewards.

The operational side - train arrivals and departures - will fall to Minehead Station Staff under Stationmaster Pam Hawkins (with the assistance of the Operations Office). The Roadshow side will fall to Martyn Snell (with the assistance of the Commercial Office) who will be the liaison between the BBC and the Company on the day.

With many thanks to Martyn Snell for kindly sending this update.

26 February 2017
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

The Diesel and Electric Preservation Group have issued an update on the WSR's Diesel Gala in June 2017:

The WSR have confirmed that we can have 'diesel only' days on Friday 9 June and Saturday 10 June this year, with a single steam diagram on the Sunday of the event. This means that we will need a minimum of six diesel locos, four of which the DEPG will supply - Hymek no D7017, Crompton Class 33 no D6575, Class 47 no D1661 and Western no D1010. Thus we have to find two visiting locomotives and the DEPG was authorised to proceed to make enquiries around possible heritage diesel locomotives. Modern mainline locomotives do not fit the bill this year following feedback and the theme of the event. It will be a difficult challenge though as a budget of just £8k has been set at present to cover transport and hire fees. The search is on, we hope to provide an update shortly. Our aim is to still have Hymek no D7018 appear at the June gala double headed with sister locomotive D7017, at this stage though we are not prepared to formally advertise her attendance at the gala and then let down all our hydraulic enthusiasts.

23 February 2017
Details kindly provided by the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group

If you shop online then do it through easyfundraising.org.uk and raise a free donation for West Somerset Railway Association every time you shop. The Association say:

Visit our easyfundraising page and sign up, then when you shop online do it via easy fundraising and generate donations for the WSRA. We are raising funds to help us complete the overhaul of Small Prairie 4561 to run again on the West Somerset Railway.

22 February 2017
Details gleaned from the website of the West Somerset Railway Association

The draft minutes of the recent meeting of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust Board are now available on the Trust website.

The document reveals a discussion on a wide range of topics of interest to supporters of the Trust and the wider West Somerset Railway community.

22 February 2017
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust

The Mechanical Engineering department of the West Somerset Railway is looking for new volunteers to help in all aspects of locomotive, carriage and wagon maintenance and restoration.

The West Somerset Railway has an endless supply of exciting projects from steam locomotive overhauls to wagon restoration, so if you have any of the skills or experience listed above and would like to be involved then the Railway want to hear from you!

More details and contact information.

21 February 2017
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

The West Somerset Railway is planning a special event with a Scottish theme around the visit of Flying Scotsman in September. The unique locomotive will be making an initial visit to the WSR in May, bringing in a railtour on Tuesday 23 May. It will then spend two days on shed with the platform at Minehead open to visitors before departing on Friday 26 May. For the main visit it will arrive on Monday 4 September, operate trains on the railway on 5, 6, 7, (not 8), 9, 10, 11 and 12 September before departing on Wednesday 13 September 2017.

During the September visit, trains will operate to a special timetable, with Flying Scotsman heading a non-stop train from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead, twice a day. A normal service of stopping trains will also operate on these days.

All travel behind Flying Scotsman will be on a special train with limited accommodation and all tickets purchased in advance. These will go on sale on the West Somerset Railway website in March. A series of options will be available, which will include one way travel along the 20 mile route behind Flying Scotsman and the other behind another visiting loco with a significant Scottish connection - details of this second loco are currently under negotiation, and it is hoped to announce this shortly. It is also expected to offer some evening dining train options, with a Scottish flavour, during the September visit.

For more information please see the official WSR press release.

16 February 2017
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

An update from the Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally website:

Plans for the Rally in August are going well. Entry forms are being sent out just now, but please be patient if you have not yet seen yours - the section marshals have to contact more than 800 exhibitors and traders so it can take some time! They do a brilliant job though and we thank them all.

If you would like to help us put on our magnificent show, do get in touch via the volunteering page. We welcome those who could support the section marshals; help prepare the rally site in the week before; ensure we keep visitors & exhibitors safe by marshalling traffic on site; and sell tickets and programmes at our entry gates.

15 February 2017
Details from The Rally Committee

The WSR Plc has, in conjunction with its stakeholder partners (West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, West Somerset Railway Association, Taunton Deane Borough Council and Friends of Bishops Lydeard Station who together form the Project Board) launched the consultation process for major developments at Bishops Lydeard Station. Known as Southern Gateway, the Programme sets out ambitious and far-reaching proposals to be achieved over the next ten years and beyond to enhance operational, heritage and customer facilities and services together with the customer experience at Bishop Lydeard.

For full details and links to the supporting documents please visit the announcement page on the official WSR website. Also see a useful document with maps and illustrations on the WSRA website.

Members of the WSR Association might like to note that they can respond via the Association if they would prefer. Mike Sherwood, Vice Chair of WSRA Trustees, adds "There will be an article on this subject in the next edition of the WSR Journal. We will consolidate all members responses into a single report for the Project Board. Members are welcome to e-mail me direct."

13 February 2017
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc and West Somerset Railway Association

The WSR Plc have a vacancy for a Signalling Inspector. This is a full time post.

We are seeking a suitably experienced individual to ensure that effective staffing of signalmen both in numbers and registered for WSR railway operations. You will need a passion and enthusiasm for railway signalling, backed by with a good knowledge of the rules and regulations and interest in developing them. Responsible to the Head of Operating, you will ensure the satisfactory rostering of staff and their competence training, including rules and regulations examinations. You will ensure the selection, training and examination of new staff.

General information
Job Description

13 February 2017
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Colin Mayes, from Anorak Communications and Director of '10.15 from Minehead' explains:

Making '10.15 from Minehead', a film about the West Somerset Railway, was enormous fun and included some exciting moments. We met many railway staff and volunteers and experienced the thrill of riding on a locomotive footplate. We hope you enjoy our film as much as we enjoyed making it.

The members of Anorak Communications was formed in 2007 becoming a group with Crewkerne U3A making films mainly featuring social history "to as high a standard as our equipment and amateur status will allow." DVD copies of the film are available at £5 each from Anorak's Alan Keene at alankeene@tiscali.co.uk

13 February 2017
Details kindly provided by Anorak Communications

Take a High Speed Train to Minehead in May on the Somerset Explorer organised by Great Western Railway in partnership with VISIT Somerset, WSR and Buses of Somerset. The organisers say:

GWR, Visit Somerset and Buses of Somerset invite you to a special charity event to celebrate the life and work of Bob Smart, the former chairman of Visit Somerset who sadly passed away last year. Bob was the driving force in helping visitors and residents to explore the wonders of Somerset by highlighting tourism, heritage and realising projects to increase Somerset's profile. We at GWR will always be thankful for the strong relationship Bob built with us at GWR and the work he did.

On Saturday 13 May 2017 The Somerset Explorer will offer three separate options for the traveller, ranging from a fun filled land cruise across Somerset to a classic train journey from London Paddington to Minehead via Frome. The special service will be formed by a pair of 1976 HST power cars hauling our classic Mk3 carriages and will run via Frome on the outward journey before returning to London Paddington via Weston Super Mare

This charter aims to raise as much money as possible for The Weston Hospice in memory of Bob Smart, former Visit Somerset CEO. There is no profit for any parties involved.

Full details

London to Minehead poster
Round Robin poster

13 February 2017
Details kindly provided by local correspondent and West Somerset Railway Plc

Members of the WSR Special Events Planning Team (SEPT) received an award at the annual Heritage Railway Association Awards evening for their planning leading to the successful S&D Gala in March 2016. WSR's Andy Forster, Don Bishop, James Mills and John Cronin (SEPT Chair) were there to receive the award.

12 February 2017
Details kindly provided by local correspondent

Once again, the Minehead loco department have joined forces with the volunteer cutting back gang to clear the lineside vegetation at Kentsford Farm Crossing. Passed Fireman Pete Chilcott organised the working party. The aim is to improve the sighting by clearing the lineside and then allow and reinstate 25mph running over the crossing. Situated between Watchet and Washford, the crossing at Kentsford is busy with walkers and farm traffic, and a popular location for photographers.

12 February 2017
Details kindly provided by local correspondent

The Station Shop at Bishops Lydeard opens again to welcome passengers to the 2017 season on the West Somerset Railway. The Railway is running the special brown timetable this week and the shop and cafe will be open between 9.30am and 4pm when trains are running on 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19 February 2017. Drop in for a hot drink and a pasty and see what's new in the shop...

Even though the trains are not going as far as Minehead this half term, the shop and cafe at Minehead Station will be open every day. Opening hours for the Minehead shop are 10am to 3.30pm, and the Turntable Cafe at Minehead will be open between 10am and 2.30pm.

11 February 2017
Details gleaned from websites of West Somerset Railway Association and West Somerset Railway Plc

Please note there will be a stakeholders meeting held on 25 February 2017 at 2pm. The meeting will be held at Bishops Lydeard Village Hall. The agenda for the meeting includes '2016 performance', Flying Scotsman; 'Antiques Roadshow' and an update on the 'Southern Gateway' project. A Q&A session will also take place. Everybody is welcome please arrive at 1.30pm for a 2pm start.

10 February 2017
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

A new closing date of 10 March 2017 has been announced for applications for the the post of Head of Operating Department. The job holder will be based in Minehead, Somerset and will have responsibility for the strategic management of the Department which includes ensuring that trains and associated services are planned and run to the legal standards of safety and efficiency and in accordance with the timetable. They will also be responsible for the operational workforce, ensuring that adequate staff are rostered and available to run the train services.

Click here for full details.

10 February 2017
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Starting this Saturday, the West Somerset Railway are running a heritage diesel service on selected dates during the February Half Term offering travel between Bishops Lydeard and Watchet, with a special price of £9.00 per adult and £4.50 per young person on the following dates - 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 February 2017.

More information.

9 February 2017
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc

The February 2017 edition of Online - the newsletter of the West Somerset Railway and associated support organisations - is now available on the official WSR website. Topics covered this month include reports from the Footplate Standards Panel, the Gauge Museum Model Railway and the Infrastructure Engineering Department.

Go to the newsletter page on the official WSR website.

9 February 2017
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc

Here is an opportunity to join the WSR's Mechanical Engineering Department as Bishops Lydeard Shedmaster. The Shedmaster's role is to manage the Bishops Lydeard loco compound in a safe, secure and orderly fashion, taking responsibility for the volunteers and staff working on site assisting with locomotive maintenance, operation and fitness to run exams as required, and helping to develop better facilities (for example, coaling).

More details and contact information

4 February 2017
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc

The Railway has released a very fine fully refreshed website which can now be found at the usual web address www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk. The new design works well on any device - laptop, tablet or smartphone.

It is very much geared towards the visitor who can quickly find out how to plan a visit, check times and book tickets, check out the shop, get information about events and experiences, learn more about the Railway, and how contact the Railway. There is also a news section and a search facility. All in all, visitors will find it is the best place on the web for information about how to enjoy the West Somerset Railway.

3 February 2017
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

WSR Plc have announced a vacancy for the post of Head of Operating Department. The job holder will be based in Minehead, Somerset and will have responsibility for the strategic management of the Department which includes ensuring that trains and associated services are planned and run to the legal standards of safety and efficiency and in accordance with the timetable. They will also be responsible for the operational workforce, ensuring that adequate staff are rostered and available to run the train services.

Click here for full details.

3 February 2017
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

The WSR Plc advise the official WSR website is currently not accessible. Sam White, WSR Marketing Officer, says:

We are working on this issue and will update everyone as soon as its been updated. Any queries we can take over the phone on 01643 704996.

1 February 2017
Details kindly provided by WSR Plc